Various 1400x1050 video chip quandries...

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jeffcrilly · #1 Post by **jeffcrilly** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:40 am

I've been looking at various video options for 14.1" SVGA+ T-series thinkpads...

One requirement is that I'm able to use it in a dualhead mode w/ an
external 1600x1200 @75hz monitor. It would be ideal if I could use
it with one of those newish 20"-24" "widescreen" LCDs...

I require at least a 75hz refresh rate.

T40 : 64MB ATI FireGL 9000
- only available refurbed from ebay B^(
(- external monitor 2048x1536 @ 75hz?)

T42 : 32MB ATI Mobility RADEON 7500 graphics
- Current thinkpad model
- 7500 is "old" technology
- WUXGA 1920x1200 ? Doesnt seem so.

T43 : 64MB ATI Mobility Radeon X300 graphics
- Current thinkpad model
- PCI Express version of the 9600?
- WUXGA ? Yes? on external monitor? at what refresh rate?

T42: ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 graphics
- only on 2373H6U $1500 special
- WUXGA ? No.. Only 1680 x 1050?

How does the 9600, 7500, and X300 compare?

.... best performer last in list....

1) 7500 - DirectX7 best performer at the time. (2000?)
2) FireGL 9000 - DirextX8.1 (2000?)
3) 9600 - DirectX9 first gen mid performer. (2003?)
4) X300 - DirectX9 second gen (2004)

So, from this it seems that the T42 2373H6U "special" w/ the 9600 is better than the regular T22 (7500).

The FireGL seems the way to go. Too bad its not offered on any
current 14.1 models from lenovo.

It seems if I want the latest external monitor support, I need the T43.

Is this correct?

I'm worried that getting a T43 w/ pci-express may be a step down from
the T42 without pci-express. And I have no doubt a T4x or T5x will
be introduced that removes the shortcomings of the T43.

Those thinkpadworld T40p units look tempting.

thanks

jeff

konuk · #2 Post by **konuk** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:37 am

Look at the T43p 2668-G7U. The specs are:

Pentium M 770 2.1ghz, 1GB RAM, 60GB 7200rpm HDD,

>>>> 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 128MB ATI FireGL V3200, <<<<

CD-RW/DVD-R Multi-Burner, IBM 802.11a/b/g wireless(MPCI), Bluetooth/Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, Fingerprint Reader, 9c Li-Ion, WinXP Pro.

Bill has it for SALE = $2999.

I. Konuk

jeffcrilly · #3 Post by **jeffcrilly** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:29 pm

Ouch. That's about double my budget.

Configed without some stuff, like the DVD-writer might bring it down.

#4 Post by **daeojkim** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 4:14 pm

If the video performance is your priority go for something like T42 w/ Radeon 9600. You should not have any problems running external monitor with 1600 x 1200 @ >75Hz. My old Radeon 8500 w/ 64MB ran dual monitor @ 1600 x 1200 w/o any problems.

Any of those cards will be able to run any resolutions as long as you have the right set of drivers installed. From my previous experiences Omega drivers for Radeon gave all possible ranges of resolutions.

If you want FireGL, T41p will be a nice choice w/ 128MB

simscitizen · #5 Post by **simscitizen** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 1:46 am

I seriously doubt any of them would have any trouble driving the external DVI display for 2D tasks provided you used the Omega drivers. Much older and crappier cards have no problems in such configurations. As for my personal experience, my $1450 T43 with mobility radeon x300 drives a 2001fpw 20" lcd through dvi and the internal sxga+ lcd perfectly.

"I require 75hz refresh rate" is especially puzzling. Refresh rate does not matter when driving an LCD. In fact, driving an LCD with too high a refresh rate is a good way to make the image look bad.

jeffcrilly · #6 Post by **jeffcrilly** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:52 am

simscitizen wrote: "I require 75hz refresh rate" is especially puzzling. Refresh rate does not matter when driving an LCD. In fact, driving an LCD with too high a refresh rate is a good way to make the image look bad.

Good point. I was refering to 75hz on the CRT (existing sony 20" trinitrons.)

The prices of 20" LCDs are getting attractive enough to upgrade.

thanks

jeff

JHaislet · #7 Post by **JHaislet** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:11 am

I'm running a 24" Dell 2405FPW off my T43 thru the Dock II via DVI at 1920x1200. Not sure how high the VGA port goes, but I'd assume it went at least as high.

BTW, Dell just had the 2405FPW for 35% off, I was able to grab it for $779 shipped!

#8 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:40 am

Perhaps the links on this page will help.

cepler · #9 Post by **cepler** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:00 am

And for 20" you can usually get the Dell 2005FPW for $389 or less with coupons.

If you're hooking this up via DVI, be careful and look closely to be sure it'll support greater than 1280x1024. Also note that single link DVI specification limits DVI output to 1920x1200x60 Hz max otherwise you need to move up to dual link (Shouldn't be an issue tho unless you wanted to hookup a 30" Cinema Display

)

Also note that the 2405FPW seems to have a weird processing lag. As soon as I hooked mine up (literally) I noticed it. I find myself overshooting buttons and having to 'creep' up on them, it's very subtle and many people don't really notice it but it has taken some getting used to. I suspect it's the processing board they use in this monitor as my wifes 2005FPW doesn't seem to exhibit this problem.

Various 1400x1050 video chip quandries...

Various 1400x1050 video chip quandries...

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